In July 2009, Mom Central Consulting (MCC) conducted a survey of 1394 Moms of school age children across the United States about back to school shopping. MCC recruited respondents from our community and network of Moms. We asked Moms to answer 32 questions about their budgets, children’s expectations and back to school shopping habits. The data reveals interesting insights into the affect the recession is having on Mom’s shopping plans.

1. Mom Central’s Back to School Shopping Report: Managing budgets & expectations July 2009

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3. Introduction In July 2009, Mom Central Consulting (MCC) conducted a survey of 1394 Moms of school age children across the United States about back to school shopping. MCC recruited respondents from our community and network of Moms. We asked Moms to answer 32 questions about their budgets, children’s expectations and back to school shopping habits. The data reveals interesting insights into the affect the recession is having on Mom’s shopping plans. Insights include that while Moms do face worries related to back to school spending, very few are planning on spending significantly less than last year. Many Moms will also be looking for green and recycled school supplies and nearly all respondents indicated an interest in special offers and deals when looking to save.

4. The expense of back to school shopping is a worry for many Moms, only 9% indicated they were not at all worried. Q4. How worried are you about the expense of back to school shopping this year? N=1394

5. While the expense of back to school shopping is a source of worry to many Moms, but only 17% indicate they will spend less than they did in 2008. Q3. Compared to last year, how much do you anticipate this year's back to school spending to change? N=1394

6. Back to school shopping budgets vary a great deal, though 46% of Moms anticipate spending between $50 and $200 overall. Q5. Overall, how much do you anticipate spending on this year's back to school shopping? N=1394

7. Nearly half (48%) of Moms, who have indicate they have set a budget for back to school shopping, say they have budgeted between $100 and $300 for clothes, accessories and shoes. Q6. Have you set a budget for this year's back to school shopping? N=1394 Q7. What is your budget, per child, for the following back to school items this year? N=474

8. Coupons and special offers top the list of ways Moms will be saving money on back to school items this year. Q8. In what ways will you try to save money this year when back to school shopping? (Check all that apply) N=1394

9. Sales and special offers are key influencers, when it comes to Moms choosing where they will shop for back to school supplies. Q9. Please rank what factors influence where you purchase items for back to school? (1 being most influential and 6 being least influential)? N=1394

10. Big Box stores are popular back to school shopping destinations for Moms. 46% of Moms also say they’ll be buying in bulk this year. Q10. Where will you do the majority of your back to school shopping this year? (Please pick up to 3) N=1394 Q11. Do you plan on buying in bulk? N=1394

11. Moms feel they have to make sacrifices in their back to school shopping decisions because of budget concerns. Only 18% of Moms surveyed said they anticipated conflict with their child/children over back to school shopping budgets. 32% of Moms indicated concern over balancing their budget against their child/children’s desires A significant percentage of Moms did indicate a need to sacrifice the following: 38% Brand names 16% Quality 28% Cool designs 10% Value 40% Kid’s expectations Q14. Are you worried about balancing your budget against your child(ren)'s desires? N=1394 Q15. Do you anticipate conflict with your child(ren) over your back to school budget? N=1394 Q16. Do you feel you have to sacrifice any of the following because of budget concerns? (Check all that apply) N=1394

12. Moms of Middle School and High School Students anticipate slightly more conflict over back to school shopping than do Moms of younger students. Q2. What grade(s) will your child(ren) be entering in the fall? Q15. Do you anticipate conflict with your child(ren) over your back to school budget?) N=1394

13. Nearly half (47%) of Moms start their back to school shopping about a month before school begins. 21% wait until just one or two weeks before. Q13: When will you begin shopping for back to school supplies? N=1394

14. Moms Speak: uniforms can be expensive too “For the uniform, I usually shop around and DON'T buy shirts with the school logo because those always cost quite a bit more. I stick with solid color dark polos.” “Uniforms cost more upfront, but we generally get a couple of years worth of wear from them. It does simplify the mornings getting ready for school.” “It is actually more expensive because they can't wear any of their normal clothes. Even the outerwear (coats, jackets, etc.) have to be color-compliant. My preschooler will be wearing uniforms at her preschool this year for the first time, too, so we will have to double our budget for uniforms.” “It makes it much more difficult because my kids OUTGROW their uniform before they OUTWEAR them, so they are forced to purchase clothing they only wear for a limited amount of time.” “the uniforms cost a TON. I usually dress my kids in really nice Gap and Gymboree hand me downs or in clothes from Target or from mall stores on sale. The uniforms (they have seasonal ones and a gym one, so I need EIGHT outfits total for my two kids, with multiple shirts, pants, skirts, for each) run us over $500 each year. I hand down and buy used, too. But $40 for ONE dress is a lot for us!” “Because of the expense of having 2 sets of clothing, I look for sales throughout the year and do very little shopping for clothes at the start of the year. I buy things at end of season sales and hold onto them. Luckily I have 3 girls and so it is bound to fit one of them at some point or another.” Q17. Do your children wear a school uniform? N=201 Q19.If you answered "Yes" to questions 17 or 18, please tell us how this impacts your back to school shopping budget

15. Moms Speak: Many homeschooling Moms spend more on curriculum. “We homeschool and I believe that makes back to school shopping much easier! We don't have to worry so much about brand names as other parents do.” “We have to purchase our own curriculum and accommodating supplies for our special needs sons, while our middle son attends public school, which can get expensive quickly.” “We homeschool so the amount of money we save on things like "the in" clothes and that sort of thing allows us to spend more money on educational items. Even then, I know that we spend far less homeschooling than friends spend on their kids' school clothes alone. “Because I home school I don't need to buy new clothes specifically for school. I can buy them when they are on sale or whenever they need something new. I do purchase all the other basic supplies though.” “Well, I need to be more careful since I have to buy all curriculum myself. On the other hand, I can buy whatever I want and don't have to stick to silly lists or bend to the latest fashions, so it evens out.” “It makes it far less costly than back to school shopping for traditional supplies as we can buy everything when it is on sale. Books and curriculum however cost us more than if we” sent her to a public school Q18. Do you home school any of your children? N=128 Q19.If you answered "Yes" to questions 17 or 18, please tell us how this impacts your back to school shopping budget

16. 67% of Moms indicated that purchasing recycled or “green “ back to school supplies was at least somewhat important. Q12. How important is buying "green" to you when purchasing back to school items? N=1394

17. Who we spoke to:

18. If you have any questions about this report or if you would like additional information about our research capabilities, please contact: Tracey Hope-Ross Vice President of Research Mom Central Consulting 617-244-3002 tracey@momcentral.com Twitter: @thopeross